Janice R. Andrews
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has condemned police involvement in minor primary school playground disputes, questioning the allocation of law enforcement resources. Freedom of information requests have revealed police investigations into young children, including nine-year-olds, over playground remarks.
Notable cases include a child being investigated for using the term “retard” and two girls who commented that a classmate had a “fishy” smell. These were documented as non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) – events deemed motivated by hostility but falling short of criminal behavior.
Speaking on GB News, Reeves expressed disapproval: “That’s not the best use of police time.” She outlined Labour’s plans to strengthen neighborhood policing and community safety initiatives, emphasizing the need to focus on more serious matters.
The controversy has grown as data shows extensive NCHI recording in schools. The debate intensified following a case involving journalist Allison Pearson, who underwent a year-long police investigation over alleged racial hatred in a social media post. Pearson characterized this as police overreach.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp joined the criticism, describing the investigations as “absurd” and wasteful. He argued that police resources should target actual crimes rather than playground disputes, warning that the current approach risks compromising free speech principles.
The incidents highlight concerns about classifying children’s behavior as hate incidents. While government protocols require recording NCHIs when significant escalation risks exist, school incidents typically shouldn’t warrant documentation unless criminal. This has prompted calls to review current practices.
The ongoing discussion centers on balancing effective policing with appropriate resource use. Critics and policymakers are increasingly pushing for a reformed approach to NCHI recording that protects both public safety and freedom of expression.
